Additional Coverage:
- Church of England names Sarah Mullally first woman Archbishop of Canterbury after Welby exit (foxnews.com)
Church of England Appoints First Woman Archbishop of Canterbury
The Church of England has made a historic appointment, naming Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. This marks the first time a woman will hold the prestigious role, a significant moment for the global Anglican Communion.
In a statement following the announcement, Mullally expressed her deep commitment to service. “As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and to others that has motivated me since I first came to faith as a teenager,” she said. Mullally emphasized her dedication to listening, bringing people together, and fostering hope and healing, adding that she wishes to encourage the Church to “grow in confidence in the Gospel” and let the love of Jesus Christ “shape our actions.”
The appointment has been met with widespread positive reactions from UK faith and political leaders. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office confirmed that King Charles III approved the nomination, with Starmer stating that Mullally “will play a key role in our national life” and wishing her “every success.”
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who has served in his position since 2020, praised Mullally as “a person of huge courage, wisdom, integrity and experience.” He looks forward to serving alongside her to help the Church of England be “simpler, humbler and bolder in its proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ and in our service to the nation.”
Mullally will succeed former archbishop Justin Welby, who resigned last November after an independent investigation found he failed to act on reports of serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps.
A seasoned leader, Mullally became a Christian at 16 and began her career as a nurse, a profession she described as “an opportunity to reflect the love of God.” Her resume includes a string of groundbreaking achievements: at 37, she became the youngest person ever appointed as the Government’s Chief Nursing Officer for England and was later made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to nursing. She also made history as the first woman to serve as Bishop of London in 2018.
Mullally will be known as the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate until her election is officially confirmed at St. Paul’s Cathedral on January 28, 2026. A service of installation, often referred to as an “enthronement,” is scheduled for March 25, 2026, at Canterbury Cathedral.
“I know this is a huge responsibility, but I approach it with a sense of peace and trust in God to carry me as He always has,” Mullally affirmed.
The Church of England serves as the mother church of the Anglican Communion, which encompasses more than 85 million members across 165 countries worldwide.